Driving-chain cover.



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DRIVING CHAIN COVER.

(Application led June 27, 1899.)

2 Sheen-Sheet 2.

(No Model.)

UiTED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

HORACE VALTER DOVER, OF NORTHAMPTON, ENGLAND.

DRIVING-CHAIN COVER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 649,280, dated May 8,190.

Application filed J'mlo 27, 1899. Serial No. 722,097l (No model.)

and tricycles, motor-bicycles, motor-tricycles,

and automobiles in which chains are used; and the invent-ion has for itsobject to provide a light and elegant chain-cover for preventing theskirt or trousers of the rider from becoming entangled with or soiledbythe driving-gear and which is capable of being ldismounted forcleaning or any other purpose and replaced with the utmost facility.

The invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, forming partof this speciiication, wherein- Figure 1 is a face View of achain-cover. Figs. 2, 3, and et are cross-sections of the same on lines2 2, 3 3, and 4 4, respectively. Fig. 5 shows the detachable rear end ofthe cover separately.

The same letters of reference denote like parts in all the figures.

The chain-cover is constructed of a panel A, of celluloid,patent-leather, or similar Inaterial, fixed in a rim 0r frame B. Thepanel A is formed with a flange d, which is clamped between the innerand outer members of the frame or rim B, the said rim or frame beingconstructed of two superposed strips h b2 of steelor other meta-l rolledor otherwise brought to a concavo-convex cross-section and bent to theconfiguration of the chain-cover, while the iiange a of the panel ismolded to a corresponding curvature and clamped between the two strips hb2 by rivets passing through the strips and the intervening flange ofthe panel, whereby the latter is very firmly se- I stantiallyperpendicular to the plane of the' panel, as shown, the pressure of themoldmay in the case of a panel of Celluloid or similar material extendslightly inward from the flange itself, so as to form a beveled marginalimpression a around the panel corresponding in coniigu ration to that ofthe frame B. The body portion of the chain-cover thus constructedextends nearly to the back-fork end, and it is completed by a detachableend portion C, which encircles the hub sprocketwheel.

G represents in dotted lines one ot' the compression-stays of themachine-frame.

The panel A is strengthened and ornamented by a rib D, formed of twohalf-round wires d' d2, bent to a configuration such as shown andriveted together with the panel between them, the rib thus formedfollowing the coniiguration of the longitudinally-extending opening orslot G', which would require to be cut in the panel A, in order to givepassage to the compression-stay when, as is frequently the oase, thecompression-stay runs in an outwardly-splayed or oblique direction. Incutting out this slot the rib D serves as a guide for the knife, andwhen the slot has been thus cut the rib D then serves as a rim or borderto stiffen the panel and protect the edges of the slot, and it alsostrengthens the rear end of the frame B, to which its ends are alsoriveted.

The chain-cover is supported on the machine-frame by a bracket E, formedof two members e c2, clamped to the stay G in rear of the bottombracket, the return end portions e of the upwardly and downwardlyextending arms of said bracket being bent to a curvature correspondingto the transverse curvature of the frame B, which frame is capable ofbeing easily sprung into position of engagement with the ends e of thebracket. The one end of the bracket has a stud e4, which enters a holein the frame B, so as to determine and insure the position of the chaincover in the longitudinal direction. The chain-cover is supported at itsrear open end upon a similar bracket F, formed of two members f f2,clamped to the stay G, the ends f3 of the bracket being curved to fit inthe hollow of the frame B of the chain-cover, as

before.

IOO

The security of the connection of the frame B with the bracket F isinsured (without a stud and hole) by the detachable end portion C of thecover. The said end portion C has a rim formed of a steel strip c ofconcavo-con- Vex cross-section and U shape, to which is riveted asemi-annular front plate c', adapted to stien the rim and partiallyinclose the front of the hub sprocket-wheel, this end portion C of thechain-cover being detachably connected to the chain-cover proper by theforwardly-projecting. ends c2 of its rim entering into slidingengagement with the rimframe B of the chain-cover, eachof said ends c2fitting, as shown in Figs. 1 and 4, tightly between the ends of the twomembers b b2 of which the frame B is formed. For this purpose the endsof these members b' b2 project somewhat in rear of the point Where theflange of the panel A terminates and are set parallel to the center lineof the cover, the ends c2 of the detachable end cap C being also setparallel to each other, so as to enable the length of these ends to bevaried by cuttingthern without interfering with the telescopic fit. Thisdetachable end portion C being entirely of metal, and thereforecomparatively rigid, serves by its engagement with the frame B of thechain-cover to reinforce the same and hold it in secure engagement withthe rear bracket F, so that al though when the end portion C is detachedthe chain-cover may be easily sprung on and off the brackets E and F.The detachable end portion C when applied serves to lock the chain-coverin position.

The invention may be applied to tandems and other cycles as Well as toordinary bicycles.

I claim- The combination with a driving-chain cover having asheet-'metal rim-frame, formed of superposed metal strips oftransverselycurved section riveted together and clamping" between themthe intervening flange of a panel inclosing one side of the frame, of ade tachable end cap having a rigid U-shaped rim-frame oftransversely-curved section andwhose ends are adapted to slide and litbetween the members or strips composing the frame of the chain-cover,and thereby lock the frame of the chain-cover on its supportingbracketsubstantially as specifiedi Signed by the said HORACE WALTER DOVER this13th day of June, 1899.`

HORACE WALTER DOVER.

In presence ol- ROBERT FRIsBY, PHILLIP HENRY DANCE.

